How cyclists created a political movement -- Learning from Amsterdam -- Creating the new urban bike culture -- Davis: invention of an American bike city -- Portland built it, and they came -- Biking in the Big Apple -- Overcoming the safety barriers -- Health and the bicycle -- Bringing kids back to bikes.

Summary:

"In a world of increasing traffic congestion, a grassroots movement is carving out a niche for bicycles on city streets. [This book] explores the growing bike culture that is changing the look and feel of cities, suburbs, and small towns across North America." "From traffic dodging bike messengers to tattooed teenagers on battered bikes, from riders in spandex to well-dressed executives, ordinary citizens are becoming transportation revolutionaries. [The author] traces the growth of bicycle advocacy and explores the environmental, safety, and health aspects of bicycling. He rides with bicycle advocates who are taming the streets of New York City, joins the street circus that is Critical Mass in San Francisco, and gets inspired by the everyday folk pedaling in Amsterdam, the nirvana of American bike activists. Chapters focused on big cities, college towns, and America's most successful bike city, Portland, show how cyclists, with the encouragement of local officials, are claiming a share of the valuable streetscape."--Book jacket.